Zacks downgrades Morgan Stanley stock to Hold ahead of earnings
Published on 10/02/2026 at 17:16 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Morgan Stanley stock (ISIN US6174464486) was trading at EUR 168.80 at Lang & Schwarz on October 2, 2026 at 5:07 p.m. CEST, plus 0.91 percent versus the prior close of EUR 167.28. MarketBeat reports that Zacks Research downgraded Morgan Stanley from Strong Buy to Hold, adding a valuation counterweight before the bank reports third-quarter results.
Results set a high comparison
Morgan Stanley delivered USD 21.35 billion in revenue during the second quarter of 2026, compared with USD 19.67 billion expected by analysts. The result was 27.10 percent higher than in the second quarter of 2025, while earnings per share reached USD 3.46 versus consensus of USD 2.89, according to MarketBeat.
The earnings profile was broad rather than dependent on one line of business. Fortune reported second-quarter revenue of USD 11.00 billion for Institutional Securities, USD 8.90 billion for Wealth Management and USD 1.60 billion for Investment Management. Wealth Management also posted a 30.50 percent pretax margin.
Targets show a divided view
The analyst picture is less uniform than the operating results. ScanX News lists Evercore ISI cutting its target from USD 240 to USD 215 on October 1, 2026, and Citigroup reducing its target from USD 235 to USD 210 on September 30, 2026. The same report lists HSBC raising its target from USD 215 to USD 219 on September 28, 2026.
That split matters ahead of the next report because the operating numbers remain strong while valuation expectations are being recalibrated. At the USD 189.06 primary-exchange quote on October 2, 2026, the HSBC target of USD 219 stood 15.85 percent above the reference price, using the same currency.
October earnings set the next test
Morgan Stanley is scheduled to report third-quarter results before the market opens on October 14, 2026, with consensus earnings per share of USD 3.10 and projected revenue of USD 20.52 billion, according to ScanX News. The comparison investors will weigh is whether another quarter above expectations can offset the recent target cuts and the Zacks downgrade.
Morgan Stanley stock facts
- Company: Morgan Stanley
- ISIN: US6174464486
- Ticker: MS
- Primary exchange: NYSE
- Price Lang & Schwarz as of October 2, 2026 at 5:07 p.m. CEST: EUR 168.80
- Change versus prior close: plus 0.91 percent
- Prior close Lang & Schwarz October 1, 2026: EUR 167.28
- Market capitalization: USD 298.2 billion as of October 2, 2026
- 52-week range: USD 151.84-232.25 as of October 2, 2026
- Sector / Industry: Financial Services / Financial - Capital Markets
- Next earnings date: October 14, 2026
The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Morgan Stanley stock.
